Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

I have been struggling with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Not the programs themselves, but with the hard drive they are installed on... The issue is that the drive is too small and occasionally doesn't have enough "room" to do some functions.

All of my Adobe software is loaded on the C: drive, which is only 128GB. Not my choice, but it is what I have to deal with. And, I have been fighting to keep enough open drive space for PS and LR, but am losing the battle.

So, I have options... I could uninstall/reinstall the Adobe stuff to another drive. (I have two others, both are SSDs with lots of space. Or, I could install a new, larger, C: drive (SSD type).

The question then, is whether one option is better than the other. Putting in the new C: drive would provide great overall system improvement. However, there is a lot that goes into physically replacing that drive. I believe there is software that can manage the upgrade tasks.

The other option would be to uninstall all my adobe software and reinstall on one of the other drives. That would likely resolve the issue. But, requires a bit of work to get everything reset.

Any input would be appreciated... Where do you have your software installed? Any experience upgrading your C: drive? Ever moved your Adobe programs from one drive to another?

Thanks!

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

C: 128Gb? Sounds like you have an old computer.

Can you install an additional drive within the computer? If so, putting an SSD in the computer would be the way to go. I believe it's not advisable to have your frequently used programs on an external drive.

You could get an external drive and try installing the programs there and see how it works. If it doesn't you can always wipe the external drive and use it for backup. You will have to install the programs on the new drive (internal or external). It's not enough to just move them.

For the long term, you should start budgeting for a new computer with a larger C: drive.

I keep ALL my programs on the C: drive.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Three easy, painless steps:
► Do a drive backup (Use AOMEI Backupper, free)
► Purchase a new drive (faster and larger) have it installed if you do not know how.
► Restore the drive content using the backup created.


Notes (after install):
► Use CCleaner (free and paid version) to do periodic computer cleanups.
 → Removes pesky temp files.
 → Cleans the registry.
 → Disables unwanted programs slowing down the boot time.
► Use process lasso (free and paid, same version. Every couple of years I register anew as this is one hell of a program I want to support)
 → Low footprint.
 → Controls programs way better than MS task manager.

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

If you decide to replace your C drive....just get a cloning software that will allow you to clone the drive and recreate it on your new drive....works great....I have done this multiple times replacing C drives for people.

Here is a link to a how to: https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-clone-a-hard-drive

You can find quite a bit of instructions on how to do this on the net as well as various software packages. I used to use an older program called Ghost but haven't had to do this process in over 5 yrs.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

There's no advantage to installing stuff on the C drive. Install it wherever you want. The only things that matter are the speed and the reliability of the new drive. You have two SSDs with lots of space. That will be good for your Adobe stuff plus any future software that you want to install. No need for a third SSD.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You should take a closer look at what exactly is installed and where.

The program executable software should not take up too much space of your limited 128GB. Assuming a Win10 computer, you should be able to go to C:\Program Files\Adobe and find the relevant folder(s) for the software executables. You can ask the 'properties' of each folder and determine the total space used. My LR6 software uses 1.8GB. I'd expect the current LR classic subscription software to be in the same total size neighborhood.

The LR catalog and all the image previews, and ongoing back-up copies of the LRCAT, these non-executable files will take HUGE amounts of diskspace. But, these can be anywhere on your many diskdrives, especially not on your space-limited C: drive. If you're unsure of where your LRCAT resides, open and go inside LR and firm via File / Edit / Catalog Settings / General tab.

If your LRCAT is on your C: drive, that's going to be a problem on your computer. Just move it to a drive with more space. Exit LR, go to the folder with the LRCAT, and copy and paste that entire "\Lightroom" folder (all files and folders) to another drive. When that copy is done, double-click the LRCAT file at the new / copied location to (a) launch LR and (b) establish that new location as the LR master location. Again, confirm the location via the Catalog Settings. When done, close LR and delete the old files & folder from the old C: location.

Your image files and the entire "user" pictures folder should also reside someplace other than your C: drive. If you need help on the Win10 configuration too, just ask.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

This computer is about 2 years old. And, it has three drives: C:, D: and E:. The C: drive is the problem drive, as it is small. The others, are 1 TB for the D: drive and 500 GB for the E: drive.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Thank you! That is the direction I thought I'd end up going. I will probably do the work, as it sounds like something I can handle. And, I do have, and use frequently, CCleaner. I'll look into Lasso, as well.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Yes... thanks! This is the direction I will be heading. Thanks for the link, I'll be studying it!

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

All my Adobe software (LR, PS, etc) is installed on the C: drive. That is part of the problem. There are a couple of other programs there, too. Need to get a larger (faster, hopefully) C: drive.

My LRCAT is located on the D: drive. Moved that a long time ago, as it got too big.

All my images are on a NAS, a WD MyCloud Mirror. The only exception to that is when I import photos. I will sort through them, discard the non-keepers, do my LR and PS work, then move them to the NAS.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I suggested checking the file properties to determine the size needed for these two Adobe software programs. You could repeat that process for all the installed programs. It may be worthwhile to move the Adobe software, but you should first confirm your assumption(s) of who is causing the problem(s).

Rather that futzing around with 'moving' the installed software, just uninstall and re-install onto either of your larger local drives. You'll have less long-term problems. I promise you. What's that re-install process going to cost you, an hour, maybe two?

But coming back to the C: drive, find out who is actually causing the problem. Do you really only have executable software on C? Are all aspects of your profile (the documents, the pictures, the downloads, etc) moved, by profile definition, to your other larger drives?

This linked process shows how to 'move' your profile pictures to a new location. If needed, repeat for all your Windows profile defaults, i.e., documents, download, desktop, pictures, videos, etc. Review your C:\Users\<your profile name> for candidate folders to move.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/74942-move-location-pictures-folder-windows-10-a.html

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

It sounds as if you have one drive with three partitions. In that case you should be able to install some programs on D: or E:

More complicated, clone the drive, re-partition it with more space for C: and move things back onto the drive.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

OK… thanks. I will look into what is on the drive. Knowing what is taking up all that data-space is good to know. It should not have docs, downloads or photos… but, it’s worth the time to check.

I am leaning toward getting a larger C: drive, as I like the idea of having lots of extra storage capability. The other option of uninstalling/reinstalling PS/LR, etc. on a different drive is still on the table, though.

Thanks for your help

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

I believe there are three physical drives in this PC. It came to me with two and I added the third.

Re-partioning, if C: & D: are one physical device, is an interesting option. Thanks for suggesting it.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You have 1.5TB of local storage. You probably don't need to replace drives. Repartitioning may / may not be the solution. A 128GB drive, especially for the Windows C: default, is problematic. But, if you update your windows defaults, specifically aspects of your profile for storing all your 'personal' files, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

You've gravitated toward two specific software programs, where the root-cause maybe completely someplace else, and unrelated, other than the size limits of 128GB.